Muzan: My daughter can't be that weak!

"Uncle Doma, this... I need to ask my dad first..."

Yukina was indeed very tempted.

A pond! Singing birds! A swing bigger than this! And it can instantly solve the puppy's feeding problem...

That sounds really good!

Upon hearing this, Doma was not worried about her need to consult Muzan. Instead, he was even happier and closed his golden fan, gently tapping his palm.

"Of course you should ask!"

"Ah, right, right!"

"When Yukina asks, you can also invite Lord Muzan! Ask him if he'd like to come and visit the Paradise Cult?"

"The last time you came, sir, was over a hundred years ago when I had just become a demon! Recently, the church has added many interesting things, and the scenery is quite different from back then. Perhaps you will find them interesting!"

Xue Nai listened attentively, nodded her little head, and kept his words in mind.

"Daddy, Daddy"

The reply came quickly this time: "What?"

"Daddy, Daddy, can we go to the Paradise Church together?"

Muzan, wandering around outside looking for flowers: ?

"Are you bored? Or do you want to lose your head?"

These words didn't go through Yukina; they went straight into Doma's mind.

Eh...

Why does Lord Muzan seem... angry?

Did I say something wrong?

Inviting Yukina to play, and also inviting Muzan-sama at the same time, isn't that a very friendly thing to do?

Douma wondered, blinked, and couldn't help but stick his fingers into his head and stir them around, recalling what he had just said.

Still can't find the problem?

As soon as Muzan probed into Doma's mind, he was overwhelmed by all sorts of strange and bizarre ideas.

It's definitely not worth trying to reason with this guy who lacks a normal emotional response.

He withdrew his probe in disgust, as if he had touched something unclean.

Getting angry at something like this is a complete waste of time.

It's not that he doesn't allow Yukina to leave Infinite Castle.

As his bloodline, he himself is superior to these ghosts.

However, he was extremely disgusted by Doma's behavior of inducing this idiot without his explicit permission.

Since he's so free, why doesn't he go find some blue spider lilies?

Muzan's voice rang in Doma's mind again, "You just said that the Paradise Cult has added quite a few interesting things in the past hundred years? It seems you've put a lot of effort into its development."

He emphasized the word "dedicated," and the sarcasm in his words was almost palpable.

But Doma thought Muzan was praising him and was about to reply when the other person continued:

"In that case,"

"Why haven't you found any news about the Blue Spider Lily so far? Haven't your followers all over the world brought you anything of real value? Or is your so-called development just these worthless things?"

Muzan tried to manipulate him.

"Are these things something to be proud of?"

After listening, Douma blinked, but the bright smile on his face didn't waver.

"About that... I'm so sorry, Lord Muzan! We haven't found a flower that matches your description yet. How about I gouge out my eyes and give them to you as an apology?"

He returned to that PUA routine, skillfully delivered a smooth and fluent apology, and then began to let his thoughts wander again.

"However... speaking of flowers, the Blissful Sect has a few lotus flowers that are blooming exceptionally beautifully this year. Perhaps next time I could have a disciple paint them and send them to you for your enjoyment? Or..."

On the other end of his mind, Muzan could no longer hear what was coming; he fell silent once more.

Apologizing and offering his eyes—what use are his eyes to me?

Are his eyes very precious?

Couldn't he have felt the same anxiety he felt when Akaza was being questioned, the kind of anxiety that comes with having to prove himself?

If it weren't for the fact that the Paradise Cult's supply of resources had been consistently stable and considerable for nearly a century, Doma would have been quite adept at dealing with some of the Demon Slayer Corps' small fry...

Muzan really wanted to have Nakime teleport this guy to him right now so he could twist his head off himself.

Arguing with such a thing is futile, but necessary punishment is essential.

Through the close blood connection, his thoughts stirred slightly.

boom!

A dull thud suddenly exploded in the back of Doma's head.

Subcutaneous blood vessels burst instantly under Muzan's control.

Blood mixed with a few fragments splattered out, staining his hair and collar red.

Doma exclaimed in slight surprise, "Eh?", then raised a hand and touched his bloodied and mangled head with a hint of curiosity.

His fingertips touched the wet, warm, and damaged area, yet his movements remained relaxed and natural.

"This time... it doesn't hurt as much? Did Lord Muzan show mercy? Or has my body adapted? How strange."

He didn't take the punishment to heart at all. Seeing that Muzan was ignoring him, his thoughts quickly jumped back to the original topic, and he even sighed, his tone filled with genuine regret:

"It's a bit of a pity, though. It seems that Lord Muzan still doesn't agree to Yukina going to play in the Paradise Cult this time."

But the next second, Yukina's voice rang out:

"Uncle Doma, Daddy said Setsuna can go."

She paused, her voice lowering, "But... he said he's not going."

"The master actually agreed? That's wonderful!"

I thought punishing myself meant I disagreed...

Lord Muzan's thoughts are truly hard to understand.

Doma immediately sprang to his feet, striding in front of Setsuna, his tall figure looming over her.

"Let's hurry! The Blissful Sect's kitchen can prepare food at any time, and the swing has been waiting!"

As he approached, Xue Nai's gaze involuntarily fell on the mess on the back of his head.

Dark red blood was slowly dripping down her hair.

"Uncle Doma, your head..."

"Zheng!" The sound of a pipa rang out.

Almost simultaneously, Doma stretched out his long arm and picked up Yukina, who was still in a daze, with remarkable ease.

With his other hand, he scooped up the little yellow dog lying on the ground, whose ears had also perked up in fright from the sound of the pipa, and grabbed it by the scruff of its neck.

Doma held the child in one arm and carried the dog in the other.

Once they reached the Blissful Sect's room, he turned to face Yukina and asked, "Hey, Yukina, what are you saying?"

Xue Nai looked at his smiling face so close to hers, then glanced back at the back of her head, which had already healed, and a hint of helplessness appeared on her small face.

She always felt that Uncle Doma wasn't always misunderstanding, but rather that he wasn't listening at all...

Or they heard it, but didn't take it to heart at all.

"What Yukina means is," she sighed, speaking like a little adult, "that Yukina wasn't ready yet. She was suddenly summoned here..."

"Oh my! Is that so? Uncle's just too excited! He can't wait to play with Yukina!"

"Then...do we need to send it back and start all over again? This time, Uncle will definitely wait until you're ready before we set off!"

"...No need, thank you Uncle Doma."